Dick Advocaat resigns as head coach of Curaçao
Dick Advocaat has stepped down as Curaçao head coach with immediate effect, departing the role to care for his daughter, who is facing serious health problems, reports BritPanorama.
The 78-year-old Dutchman led Curaçao to their maiden World Cup qualification in November, but he will not be present when they make their tournament debut this summer.
Curaçao’s football federation confirmed the resignation on Monday, announcing that Advocaat chose to dedicate his full attention to his family after prioritizing personal circumstances over professional commitments.
Had he remained in charge, Advocaat would have become the oldest coach in World Cup history during the competition held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Advocaat took charge of the national team in January 2024, guiding them through an unblemished qualifying campaign. He oversaw victories against Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica; a draw against Jamaica in November sealed their historic berth.
With a population of approximately 150,000 to 185,000 residents, the Dutch Caribbean territory surpassed Iceland as the smallest nation ever to qualify for football’s premier competition. Advocaat described the achievement as the “craziest thing” in a managerial career spanning nearly four decades.
The veteran coach made clear that his departure was inevitable given his personal circumstances, stating, “I’ve always said that family comes before football. This is therefore a natural decision.”
Despite the difficult timing, Advocaat expressed his fondness for his adopted nation, saying, “I will greatly miss Curaçao, its people, and my colleagues.” He added, “I consider qualifying the smallest nation in the world for the World Cup one of the highlights of my career. I am proud of my players, staff and board members who believed in us.”
Fellow Dutchman Fred Rutten has been appointed as Advocaat’s successor ahead of the team’s historic tournament appearance. Rutten paid tribute to his predecessor, acknowledging Advocaat as an icon in football, while Gilbert Martina, president of the Curaçao Football Federation, stated the nation “will always remain grateful” to Advocaat and that “his decision commands nothing but respect.” Curaçao will open their Group E campaign against Germany in Houston on June 14.
As the dust settles on Advocaat’s departure, it serves as a poignant reminder of how personal commitments can shape coaching landscapes, even amidst the excitement of World Cup dreams.
